A new three-year strategy launched on Monday by the Small Firms Association (SFA) calls on the Government to explore the establishment of a semi-state bank dedicated to servicing small business. Around 859,000 people are in direct employment in small businesses and 43% of people employed in the private sector work in a small business. The SFA will also "explore the establishment of a semi state bank dedicated to servicing small businesses", and advocate for financial products "aligned to the realities of small business cash flow, investment cycles, and growth stages". “Amid the AI revolution, small businesses also need help to embrace digitisation and digital transformation to compete. Enterprise minister Peter Burke acknowledged small businesses are a "critical part of the modern, innovative economy that Ireland has created.

The Arts Council's IT project began in 2018 with a €3m budget before hitting €6.7m when it was abandoned. Photograph: Bryan O’BrienThe Arts Council needs a more “fit-for-purpose board” with skills in governance, human resources and law and “not just knowledge of the arts”, an expert advisory group has recommended. The independent review was ordered after the arts organisation’s controversial IT upgrade initiative cost the State €5.3 million before being abandoned. The review found the Arts Council’s business case for the project understated the costs and did not include VAT or the expense of streamlining businesses. The Arts Council has been contacted for comment.

Ruben Amorim was dismissed as head coach earlier this week after a torrid 14 months in charge, where he appeared increasingly frustrated with transfers and the club hierarchy. ‌That move could have huge ramifications for United’s transfer activity this month compared to 11 days ago, when the January window first opened. The United captain, 31, was strongly linked with an exit last summer after a reported £100m offer from Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal. View 3 Images Bruno Fernandes' future may lie elsewhere (Image: Getty Images)“But no one can doubt from the moment he signed for Manchester United, he has given his all. Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football.

Michael Carrick has emerged as the favourite to become Manchester United manager until the end of the season. Last week, Daily Mail Sport reported that the race to replace sacked Ruben Amorim was between Carrick and fellow former United star Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Both Carrick and Solskjaer had meetings with chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox. Carrick won five Premier League titles while at Old Trafford before retiring in 2018. The defeat by the Seagulls means United will play just 40 games this season, the lowest figure for 111 years.

‘King’s Sword’ and ‘King’s Shella’ rounds headline King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival 2025RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA, January 12, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — The King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival 2025 will conclude on Sunday with its most prestigious and highly anticipated rounds, the “King’s Sword” and “King’s Shelfa,” held as part of the Al-Malwah competition. The closing day will begin with the King’s Sword round for the Furokh categories (Pure Gyr, Hybrid Pure Gyr, Gyr Peregrine, and Gyr Shaheen), followed by the King’s Sword round for Furokh (Saker and Shaheen). Competition will then move to the King’s Shella rounds for the Qarnas categories (Pure Gyr, Hybrid Pure Gyr, Gyr Peregrine, and Gyr Shaheen), before concluding with the King’s Shella round for Qarnas (Saker and Shaheen). The King’s Sword and King’s Shella rounds carry exceptional prestige among falconers, not only for their symbolic titles but also for their substantial financial rewards. In the King’s Shella rounds, the first-place winner is awarded the Shella trophy in addition to SR400,000 ($107,000).

Manchester United caretaker manager Darren Fletcher has said the hype surrounding 15-year-old academy prospect JJ Gabriel is 'deserved', but confirmed the teenager will not be included in today’s FA Cup squad to face Brighton. He loves training, he loves playing, he loves having the ball, he loves expressing himself. He's got an amazing family and amazing support around him and he's somebody we're delighted to have at the club. Gabriel, full name Joseph Junior Andreou Gabriel, was born in London and had spells at Chelsea, Arsenal and West Ham. And last month Gabriel became the youngest player to represent United in the FA Youth Cup.

WITH the kind of price tag that could throw a lifeline to a first-time buyer, No 21 Wolfe Tone Street in Clonakilty is turning heads. A tall, narrow townhouse, spread over three floors, it’s been a rental for several years but has held up well, and comes to market following a substantial refresh. Two velux windows, glazed double doors to a patio, and a southerly rear aspect all help. So far he’s had US and local interest and an offer just over the asking of €299,000 for the terraced home, where parking is on-street. In good condition, accommodation includes a front room entered via glazed double doors off the hall, and to the rear, the bright kitchen.

Redemption for Gabriel Martinelli as Arsenal hammer PortsmouthBy Edward Elliot, Press AssociationGabriel Martinelli hit the headlines for the right reasons by scoring a hat-trick as Arsenal overcame an early scare to thrash Championship strugglers Portsmouth 4-1 in the FA Cup third round. Andre Dozzell’s own goal quickly levelled the tie before Brazil forward Martinelli struck either side of Noni Madueke’s penalty miss to put the Gunners in control. Gabriel Martinelli celebrates his hat-trick with Noni Madueke (Andrew Matthews/PA) Photo by Andrew MatthewsMartinelli, who was widely criticised for attempting to push the injured Conor Bradley off the pitch during Thursday evening’s goalless draw with Liverpool, completed his treble in the 72nd minute. Injury-plagued Gunners forward Kai Havertz came on for the final 21 minutes to make his first appearance since the opening weekend. Arsenal again capitalised on a corner, with Martinelli claiming the match ball by heading through the hands of Pompey keeper Josef Bursik and into the roof of the net from another Madueke delivery.

AI is being utilised to cheat but students feel rules need to be clearer (Getty Images)Over 500 third-level students used unauthorised Artificial Intelligence (AI) in their coursework during the 2024-2025 academic year. Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) released statistics showing 71 students utilised AI and the National College of Ireland data stated 68 students used AI during coursework. The National College of Ireland said students repeatedly using AI in a prohibited manner faced suspension. At Mary Immaculate College, students were punished with an F mark for coursework. Emma Muldoon Ryan, vice-president of academic affairs at AMLÉ, the national students’ union, told the broadcaster students needed direction on the appropriate uses of AI.

Ferbane school takes county honours in Someone Like Me art competitionPupils and teachers at St Cynoc’s National School, Ferbane have been named both Junior and Senior County Winners respectively of the prestigious national art competition, Someone Like Me. An initiative of the National Disability Authority, Someone Like Me is now marking its 10th anniversary. “Over the last ten years, the Someone Like Me Art Competition has created a national conversation about visible and non-visible disabilities, helping to raise awareness and, ultimately, effect positive attitudinal change within society. “Because of this, the competition is an important part of the work of the National Disability Authority and has become a highlight in our calendar. The competition, which offers a range of prizes to the value of over €1,000, was open to all primary and special school pupils from junior infants to sixth class and more.

McGrath Cup Group B round 3: Cork 0-15 Limerick 3-11An experimental Cork side secured a seventh successive McGrath Cup final appearance despite a five-point defeat to Limerick at Páirc Uí Rinn. Those moments would prove particularly punitive for Cork as Limerick countered to score 1-2 off those misses. Scorers for Limerick: J Naughton 2-5 (0-5 frees); J McCarthy 1-0; C Ó Duinn, R Childs 0-2 each; D Neville, J Mahon 0-1 each. CORK: D Newman; S Meehan, C Molloy, J O’Driscoll; K O’Donovan (capt), T O’Mahony, D Cashman; S Dore, T Cunningham; F Fenner, C Daly, D Buckley; D O’Connor, L Murphy, C Santry. LIMERICK: J Alfred; O Collins, D Buckley, M McCarthy; C Ó Duinn, K Ryan, T McCarthy; J McCarthy, B Coleman (capt); R O’Brien, D Neville, E Riordan; J Mahon, R Childs, J Naughton.

‘Two people sitting in a room and talking about God?’ Gay Byrne had little faith in it workingRoger Childs, former head of religious programmes at RTÉ and Meaning of Life creator, recalls Stephen Fry’s infamous interview and some of the candid moments that captivated the nationRoger Childs, the former RTÉ commissioning editor for religion and society. Photo: Frank McGrathRoger Childs Today at 06:30Gay Byrne sat with his back to the door at what I later discovered was his favourite table in his favourite Donnybrook restaurant, Furama.

Marcus Rashford has won his first trophy as a Barcelona player as his loan side beat rivals Real Madrid 3-2 in the Spanish Super Cup final. However, reports suggest there is no way back for Rashford and United, with the Spaniards in favour of triggering a £26million option to make his move permanent in the summer. But now Rashford has tasted success with Barcelona in a back-and-forth contest in Jeddah. 'It's a pressure that you look forward to and a pressure that I want to have whilst I'm playing football. 'I'm fully focused on this and the staff, the players know that I'm focused on this so it's really good.'

Man Utd handed Luis Enrique update as manager confirms 'private' deal talksManchester United have been linked with PSG boss Luis Enrique as they look to replace Ruben Amorim at Old TraffordView 2 Images Luis Enrique has responded to PSG exit talk after Manchester United links (Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique has dismissed reports of turning down a new contract as "fake news" following Manchester United links. The Spanish tactician was mooted as a possible target to replace Ruben Amorim after he was sacked from his Old Trafford post. ‌Man Utd may miss bargain January transfer opportunity after Ruben Amorim decision READ MORE :Speculation regarding a potential move for Enrique have intensifed since reports that an extension has been turned down. View 2 Images Reports have suggested Luis Enrique is looking for a new challenge and is set to turn down fresh talks. If it doesn't and it means staying as the under-18s coach, I'll be more than comfortable with that as I'm going to help develop players for Manchester United."

Britain is set to 'put leading edge weapons into the hands of Ukrainians' with powerful long-range ballistic missiles that can destroy Russian targets more than 300 miles away. The Labour minister made the comments while on a visit to Kyiv - and just moments after narrowly avoiding a Russian missile and drone attack in the area on Thursday, which killed four people. On Thursday night, Russia launched a huge wave of drones and missiles against Ukraine, striking civilian targets and energy infrastructure. The Oreshnik, an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM), is believed to have been fired from 1,000 miles away and well within Russian territory. Defence Intelligence said Moscow was likely to have only a 'handful' of Oreshnik missiles, which cost far more than other missiles it has used to attack Ukraine, adding its use was 'almost certainly intended as strategic messaging'.